We have just completed and submitted our views on the future proposals for education in Wales. We can't emphasis enough the importance of contributing to this debate about moving forward with curriculum changes. It is an opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions on how the future is shaped - whether working within education or not. 

The first phase of the 'Great Debate on Welsh Education' is almost over - there are only a few days left to make your contribution. Click here to find out more and submit your thoughts by 8th May. 

If you are already familiar with the proposals in the 'Successful Futures' document (Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales by Professor Graham Donaldson, February 2015), this link will take you directly to the official survey.

Always great to be back in Scotland. Thoroughly enjoyed facilitating our first event for the College Development Network. Representatives from colleges across Scotland engaged fully in the discussions focused on 'giving and receiving feedback' - thank you to all involved.

For those of you in Wales, or generally interested in curriculum developments, there is a phase 1 consultation occurring at the moment. Deadline for submission is 17th January 2014. On our initial reading, the proposed changes seem to make a lot of sense - streamlining the LNF with the curriculum and raising the importance of wider skills for life, learning and work to statutory status. Any change can be daunting initially. Fingers crossed that this change will be worthwhile, relevant and make life easier in the long-term.

Direct link to the pdf consultation document.

We arrange to meet Gary in our usual spot for a coffee catch-up. It's becoming a regular occurrence…and one we look forward to immensely. 

It could more accurately be described as a play-date. A term we had not heard until recently. Basically, us big kids, arrange to meet up using the grown up 'coffee catch-up' as an excuse….but head to a play-date that is full of laughter, exploring various apps, playing on iPads, scribbling great works of art on serviettes and trying to remain blissfully unaware of the glances thrown our way from 'real grown-ups' as we become increasingly more animated and excited. We do drink coffee though. And, to be fair, the sight of an iPad being thrown on the floor to demonstrate the 'toughness' of the kid-proof case, is probably not something that is seen every day in this particular coffee shop. 

The conversation jumps between edtech, learning, eat all you can buffets, IPACA, twitter, trains, apps, risk-taking, education, ribs, packing a car, more apps, lego, photography, more apps, awards, teaching, kids, 3D printing, school trips, more apps, the possibility of 4D printing, spray paint that makes anything waterproof….and the House of Lords. 

The 'chit-chat' never stops…and in the middle of that we are trying out new apps and attempting to make a video and import it into the 'aurasma' app (or Lynne is, badly!). 

Andrew sighs at the sight of me (Lynne) jumping between apps…with Gary quickly demonstrating his skill of operating an iPad upside down (the iPad was upside down, not him). It must be a transferable 'teacher' skill - reading a book aloud to a class, at the same time as holding it up so illustrations can be seen, requires the skill of 'upside down, reverse reading'. Only this is the 21st century version! 

Andrew's sigh is related to the fact that I am likely to continue excitement at these apps way past our coffee catch up…and, with heading to Scotland for most of August, we are not needing distractions whilst in the midst of preparations. So I've promised not to play with the apps yet…but if anyone else has an iPad/iPhone and wants to try them out, search for 'Aurasma', 'Morfo' and 'colAR Mix' in the app store. You won't be disappointed. 

Thanks, Gary, for a great couple of hours - we look forward to the next 'coffee catch-up'…and a trip to see you in IPACA. 

An interesting, passionate perspective on education. 

Our project with Miskin Primary School began almost a year ago. We have had the pleasure of joining the staff on their journey of 'designing for literacy learning', facilitating a mixture of INSET days, twilight sessions, design/development days and embedded CPD in the classrooms. 

The majority of our time this month has been spent in Miskin Primary and we have many moments to remember. 

On leaving the school late one evening, we reflected on the sense of community that was apparent between staff and children. There was a genuine desire to improve the lives and learning of every individual child, recognising that each had a different starting point. This was echoed around the school,  by children and adults. Learners (of all ages) were concerned about how they could each take their 'next step'. 

In the often stressful climate of educational accountability, data and reaching expected standards, the underlying importance of feeling valued, respected and 'liked' can sometimes be overlooked. Relationships are essential. The culture and mindset of a community can have a huge impact on its success and effectiveness. 

We asked the staff to watch the following TEDtalks video clip: 'Every Kid Needs A Champion' by Rita Pierson. The discussions that followed resulted in a unanimous agreement -  the principles she speaks about so passionately are actually right for every age learner…and we are all learners. Take a look - it is worth spending 7 minutes listening to Rita Pierson. 

We'd like to publicly 'thank' the staff and children of Miskin Primary for welcoming us into their school community - it has made a real difference to the project. 

Over the last few days we kept discovering links to these two videos. We've now watched them multiple times - enjoying the talent of this 'spoken-word artist', contemplating the content from different perspectives and debating how difficult it is to change any large-scale system - especially when power and differing values are involved.

Take a look - we'd love to hear your thoughts.